Five littleknown facts about old ironsides, the famous. Old ship logs reveal adventure, tragedy and hints about climate volunteers are combing through old ships logbooks for the old weather project. Today, when sailing ships have engines to get them out of trouble, a firsthand account of fighting a ship powered by sail alone must have a special fascination. Make offer the schooner bluenose wood ship model by scientific unused free usa ship u. See more ideas about uss constitution, tall ships, sailing ships. On the occasion of the 175th anniversary of her last battle. From 1812 to 1815, a total of nearly 1,200 men served aboard old ironsides. Shop for old ironsides art prints from our community of independent artists and iconic brands. But that doesnt seem to dampen the spirit of modelers who build these amazing ship models.
Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. The 44gun frigate uss constitution old ironsides by karl heinz marquardt. In each logbook entry, they recorded the date, weather, and major events. Constitution sailed from boston with a full complement of 475 officers and men, 48,600 gallons of fresh water. Uss constitution, also known as old ironsides, is a woodenhulled, threemasted heavy frigate of the united states navy. A narrative history of old ironsides, revised edition. The ship earned her nickname old ironsides during a famous battle against the hms guerriere in the war of 1812. Best uss constitution model plans history of massachusetts.
Here s a rundown of the wood that contributed to her fame. Aka old ironsides, is the worlds oldest commissioned naval vessel still afloat. The 44gun frigate uss constitution old ironsides book depository. Uss constitution is a large and complex sailing warship, and during her active combat years it took 450 to 500 crew to keep her at sea.
Published in 1993, this book by thomas gilmer discusses the uss constitutions history, construction and. It would be better to end with an admonition to go read a book. Feb 9, 2020 commissioned and named by george washington in 1794 and launched in boston harbor in 1797, the uss constitution is the oldest working warship in the world. First, early in the book martin lets the ships log dominate his prose, resulting in a. The book includes a fullcolor section detailing constitutions earlier triumphs by celebrated marine painter william gilkerson, commissioned especially for this book. Shes the largest, fastest fighting ship of her classthe constitution. In old ironsides a nickname the boat received after a british sailor observed a cannonball bouncing off its side fitzenz tells the complete story of the ship, from its construction to the ongoing restoration efforts that keep it active today. Excellent book for anyone interested in the history of the uss constitution old ironsides and how the united states got started in becoming a naval power in the early 1800s and the war of 1812. Fun incorrect sea stories about old ironsides from the days before the us navys ban on alcohol aboard ships the uss constitutions 126,230 gallon bender of 1798 woops. The sun was just setting and the black sails from two ships could been seen in the distance. Today, there are 75 enlisted sailors and three commissioned officers assigned to uss constitution from 1812 to 1815, a total of. Frigate constitution, one of the first ships of the united states navy, won the sobriquet old ironsides for her strength in withstanding enemy shot in her famous fight with british frigate guerriere on 19 august 1812. Records of more than 15,000 sailors who have served in or on old ironsides, mainly before 1934, are on file.
Authorized by congress in 1794, built in 1797, and launched in 1798, constitution saw action in one undeclared war and two official wars and was a powerful arm of the united states military capable of carrying american firepower to distant parts of the globe. Its nickname, old ironsides, came about during the war of 1812 when it was fired upon by the hms guerriere. What it was like to be shot up by old ironsides american. It also contains guest register, vessel specifications, and serial number list pages, as well as quick reference pages on topics including. Uss new ironsides was a woodenhulled broadside ironclad built for the united states navy during the american civil war. Logbooks of the us navy at the national archives national. The frigate constitution and other historic ships by magoun.
Uss constitution old ironsides crew members is with steve tilley and bob voegeli. In the 1820s and 1830s, she would regularly sail to the mediterranean sea to protect american. Her sides are made of iron, after 18pound cannonballs bounced off the ship during a battle. If ships may be considered living beings, constitution is the last living link with our nations beginningsand old ironsides brings her to life. Log book us frigate constitution, 1811 august 21812 august 19, entry for august 18, 1812. Some kits are average, while some are complicated, with many small parts and several feet of rigging to add. A glance at the old document showed that it was a log of a ship named cyane and that it ended with an account of a naval battle.
Our latest holdings of logbooks are transferred to us from the naval history and heritage command 30 years after the logbook is completed for the calendar year. However, let it be noted that according to her ships log, on july 27, 1798, the. The plan shows 10 bulkheads and using the dimension between the fore and aft bulkheads equally spaced the frames. A brief history of uss constitution americas ship of state. Completed in 1797 at boston, massachusetts, the wooden warship uss constitution was constructed from material contributed by nearly every state in the new nation. Each old ironsides art print is produced using archival inks, ships within 48 hours, and comes with a 30day money back guarantee. Introduction the uss constitution has now graced the united states with her service for more than two hundred years. Uss constitution is scheduled to host live virtual tours to instagram everyday at 10 a. Navy and a legend was born the legend of old ironsides. She was launched in 1797, one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the naval act of 1794 and the third constructed. She is the worlds oldest commissioned naval vessel still afloat.
An history celebration of old ironsides the nations most honored vessel, the oldest commissioned warship in the world, and still a unit of the u. Please fill out the form below, with a description of any special considerations. National archives and records administration, m1030, roll 16. Using plan 1 drawing from constructo i traced an outline for the keel and used illustrations from the book old ironsides by thomas gillmer established the height of the keel.
Heres a rundown of the wood that contributed to her fame. Follow young john aylwin as he watches and helps in the construction of one of the most remarkable sailing ships ever built, a ship whose strength under fire earned her the nickname old ironsides. Mike did an excellent job on the full and half frames. Of the 450 to 500 men aboard for each cruise, about twothirds were enlisted sailors, another 60 were marines, and the rest were commissioned, warrant, or petty officers. For those children of the storm who contemplated the uncertain and transitory nature of life at sea, the fact that they were sheltered in such a stout vessel as old ironsides must have proved comforting, for the constitution was among the largest as well as most powerful and renowned ships in the american fleet. Old ironsides was the nickname of the uss constitution, an american warship that was involved in the war of 1812. But it s more of a historical nature, and the ships vary in design. After two abortive attempts, she was finally launched on 31st. Oct 26, 2014 this is the original recording from the revell records old ironsides record given as an exclusive offer from revell in 1969 with the 196th uss constitution old ironsides with sails model kit h398. The frigate constitution and other historic ships hc1928 f.
Fun incorrect sea stories about old ironsides from the. The book contains over 100 illustrations, text descriptions and photos of the ships. The aircraft carrier uss enterprise, the navys most famous and decorated ship of the war, was scrapped before stafford, a naval aviator himself, wrote the book, which might have motivated the nation to save the ship. Old ironsides, eagle of the seas is really three books in one. The ship spent most of her career blockading the confederate ports of charleston, south carolina, and wilmington, north carolina, in 186365.
Called old ironsides because a british sailor reportedly shouted her sides are made of iron after cannonballs bounced off the ship during the war of 1812, the process to float the uss. For a wooden ship nerd this book, although not that long, is packed with very detailed information on the greatest warship in american history. Dec 06, 2010 constitution old ironsides, as a combat vessel, carried 48,600 gallons of fresh water for her crew of 475 officers and men. The 40 logbooks, daily journals kept by a ships officers, are from celebrated ships. After 2 years, uss constitution floats on its own the. To continue and enhance constitutions tradition of hardy service in behalf of freedom if the seas, the navy bestowed the name new ironsides on a powerful ironclad built early. It had survived the coming of the rifts and had served the new navy well. Impervious to the cannonballs of opposing ships, the frigate uss constitution earned the nickname old ironsides. She weighs in at 1,576 tons, carries 44 guns, and is made from the wood of more than 1,000 trees. This book is a good read on how the constitution and its sister ships the president and the united states came to be built and the role played during the war of 1812 and other non war related missions the constitution was sent on.
Constructed in boston in 1797, she was one of the united states navys first menofwar. See more ideas about uss constitution, constitution and tall ships. Vessel log books free quotes detailing not normally associated with book publishing, such as waterproof paper, acrylic casings, embossed covers or tabulated sections. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options.
Sep 03, 2014 old ship logs reveal adventure, tragedy and hints about climate volunteers are combing through old ships logbooks for the old weather project. A naval classic first published in 1962, staffords the big e set a high standard for books about world war ii, especially those about a ship and its crew. The ships log book includes a diary type format consisting of lined pages for recording ship data and activities. Sep 27, 2009 however, let it be noted that according to her ship s log, on july 27, 1798, the u. Old ironsides would repeat this victory in two more battles with the royal navya stunning war of 1812 record unequaled by any other warship in the u. The great ships old ironsides returns to the sea tv. A complete log of the constitution does exist at the national archives, but even without the famous battle pages, the newyork historical societys logbook well describes the routine of a man o war. This war was fought between the united states and great britain. Old ironsides revisiting the classic revell 196 kit. This is the original recording from the revell records old ironsides record given as an exclusive offer from revell in 1969 with the 196th uss constitution old. The rise, decline, and resurrection of the uss constitution by thomas gilmer. To set the stage for the dominance of this remarkable vessel, military historian colonel david fitzenz recreates the world of sail, when seven knots an hour was considered blinding speed for a warship.
Old ironsides americans build a fighting ship, by david weitzman. Our earliest navy log is a photostatic copy of the original log of continental schooner wasp with start date of march 9, 1776. Old ship logs reveal adventure, tragedy and hints about. The name constitution was among ten names submitted to president george. She became known as old ironsides and continued in service until 1897 when she was towed back to the scene of her launching in boston and remains there as an american shrine and museum. The rise, decline, and resurrection of the uss constitution by thomas gilmer published in 1993, this book by thomas gilmer discusses the uss constitutions history, construction and various reconstructions. She is the worlds oldest commissioned naval vessel still. Uss constitution old ironsides crew members posts facebook. This is the story of the oldest warship afloat in the world, the venerable frigate uss constitution, the cornerstone of the nascent american navy created by act of congress in 1794.
The ship s operational history may be traced in the ship s logs and officers journals, including the journal of midshipman james pity, 23 july 1798 to 11 may 1799, in logbooks and journals. An history celebration of old ironsides the nations most. However, let it be noted that according to her ships log, on july 27, 1798, the u. Fun incorrect sea stories about old ironsides from the days. S constitution old ironsides, as a combat vessel, carried 48,600 gallons of fresh water for her crew of 475 officers and men. It reportedly became known as old ironsides in 1812, when a british sailor yelled, huzza. The main fife rail is unique to old ironsides and is nicely executed in the revell kit. Midshipmen had to keep a copy of the ships logbook. But its more of a historical nature, and the ships vary in design. Unfortunately, it was unlikely that the old submarine would see another sunrise. This was sufficient to last six months of sustained operations at sea. Constitution old ironsides, as a combat vessel, carried 48,600. Notes and quotes from the ships logs in the national archives. Those folks building sister ships take note youll need to replace the main rail with something more conventional.
Published in 1993, this book by thomas gilmer discusses the uss constitutions history, construction and various reconstructions. Aug 16, 2017 the book contains over 100 illustrations, text descriptions and photos of the ships. Since 1968, west marine has grown to over 250 local stores, with knowledgeable associates happy to assist. Old ironsides, uss constitution see the letter a three masted wooden hulled frigate, 204 feet in length, with a beam of 43. The first is about how sailing ships were built and how they worked. You can find arms and armaments, artwork, logs and journals from the ships crews.
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